A Mexican restaurant institution is closing one of its well-established locations, ending more than four decades of service at a site that has been part of the city’s dining scene since the early 1980s.
The closure is part of a broader series of changes for the restaurant operator, which has shut down locations across its portfolio this year, including the complete exit of another Mexican restaurant chain.
Pappas Restaurants opened the original Pappasito’s Cantina in 1983 in Houston, Texas. The Tex-Mex restaurant became known for its fajitas and margaritas and has since grown to more than 20 locations across Texas and Georgia.
Pappasito’s Cantina is closing its first-ever restaurant
Pappasito’s Cantina is permanently closing its original restaurant at 6445 Richmond Ave. in Houston, Texas, on Sept. 13, 2026, after 43 years of serving generations of customers.
“After careful consideration, we made this difficult decision based on the long-term outlook for this location,” Pappas Restaurants CMO Christina Pappas said in a statement reported by CultureMap Houston.
“Plans for the location following the restaurant closure are currently being evaluated, and no final decisions have been made at this time.”
The original Pappasito’s Cantina became a Houston destination and a favorite among regulars and first-time visitors alike.
The restaurant, referred to as “Sito’s #1” by employees and customers, is known for Tex-Mex dishes such as mesquite-grilled fajitas and hand-shaken margaritas, as well as its lively atmosphere.
While the exact number of employees affected by the closure is unknown, Pappas Restaurants said all employees are being offered positions at other restaurants within its portfolio.
Pappas Restaurants closes locations
Pappasito’s Cantina is not the only restaurant in Pappas Restaurants’ portfolio to close.
Pappas Restaurants shut down all On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina locations in June 2026 after acquiring the brand from Chapter 11 bankruptcy the year prior.
The restaurant operator also closed Pappas Delta Blue Smokehouse in Plano, Texas, in 2024, leaving one remaining restaurant in Webster.
Pappas Restaurants closed all of its Hobby Airport locations in 2023, including Pappasito’s Cantina, Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, and Pappas Bar-B-Q, after the City of Houston awarded the airport’s contract to travel hospitality group Areas USA.
The move ended 20 years of Pappas Restaurants’ ownership at the airport. The lawsuit over the contract decision remains active.
Mexican restaurant chain closures
The latest closures come as several Mexican restaurant chains have faced financial challenges, closures, or restructuring efforts.
Here’s some of my previous coverage of Mexican restaurant closures:
- Gringos Locos: Closed all of its Orlando-area restaurants in August 2026.
- Fuzzy’s Tacos & Margs: Closed all of its remaining restaurants in the Houston area in September 2026.
- Del Taco: Closed several restaurants and exited multiple markets following separate franchisee bankruptcies.
- Taco Giro: Closed seven of its restaurants following multiple ICE raids across various locations in December 2025.
